(AFP) The world's first national "smart-card" for citizens was launched today as Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad held talks with global hi-tech chiefs to accelerate development of the Multimedia Super Corridor (MSC).

The smart-card wraps passport, identification, driver's license, medical and other personal details into one piece of plastic the size of an ordinary credit card.

There are plans to expand the use of the card, which contains features such as thumbprints and holograms to prevent forgery, to include security access to homes and offices, and to pay for public transportation and tolls.

Named MyKad, it signals the country's determination to embrace the information age five years after it launched the MSC, a hi-tech enclave modeled after California's Silicon Valley.

Deputy Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the "world's first multi-application" card was part of the MSC's initiatives to use cutting edge technology and expertise to make the country a major IT producer.

The New Straits Times reported another smart card -- the Payment Multipurpose Card -- would be launched in November with features including debit and credit card facilities.

Panel meeting

The launch of MyKad coincided with annual talks today between Mahathir and members of his MSC International Advisory Panel to woo investors and speed up the development of the zone amid the US slowdown.

The MSC, which stretches about 50 kilometres south from Kuala Lumpur to the new international airport, is the brainchild of Mahathir who wants to turn the country into a developed nation by 2020.

While physical infrastructure has been largely put in place, the MSC has been slow in attracting substantial investment from global technology companies.

Mahathir earlier this year admitted that the hub had not contributed to the economy as much as he expected. Critics complained of a lack of focus, excessive bureacratic red-tape and a shortage of skilled labour.

The Multimedia Development Corp (MDC) recently said the developer of a Hollywood-style studio in the MSC has been replaced after defaulting on RM52.4 million in loan payments.

The Entertainment Village, which was unsuccessful in wooing Asian film makers, would now be designated as an "Eco-Media City", it said.

There are 488 companies operating in the MSC, including 46 world-class firms with most of the rest local companies, the MDC said in a statement today. MSC-status firms enjoy a host of tax and other privileges.

Notable absentees

The MDC said local Internet subscribers have surged from just 880,000 in 1996 when the MSC was launched to 2.2 million last year, and are projected to increase to 2.72 million by 2003.

The country's skilled workers have also increased, rising from under a million in 1996 to 1.8 million last year, or 19 percent of the total 9.5 million labour force.

The statement said only eight out of 48 members of the MSC panel were attending today's session while another 18 had sent representatives.

Among notable absentees were Microsoft Corp. chairman Bill Gates and IBM chairman Louis Gertner Jr, both of whom have yet to attend any meetings and have again sent representatives this year.

The stalwarts attending include NEC Corp chairman emeritus Tadahiro Sekimoto and NTT Corp president Jun-Ichiro Miyazu.

The statement said talks would review progress of the MSC and discuss new initiatives, technology trends and opportunities.

The IT executives are to attend a MSC-related business conference over the next two days.